[RUMOUR] The LG G3, successor to the LG G2, could be coming as soon as May 2014
The LG G2 was met with mixed reviews when it was released late last year, though one thing is for sure: it was one of the most powerful devices at the end of 2013. Whether you love or hate the buttons on the back of the phone or the fact it came with only Android 4.2.2, LG certainly did a good job with the device and I have heard from countless happy owners. It is strange then that there are rumours coming out of Korea that LG is already planning the successor to the G2. This so-called LG G3 is apparently due in mid-May, and while the exact timing of the device can’t be pinpointed yet, it’s unusual that LG is planning to bring out another flagship so soon after the G2.
More than likely, this accelerated timetable while be aiming at combating the release of the Samsung Galaxy S5, expected at MWC 2014 next month, a fact which is apparently not lost on Sony either who has also accelerated its development cycle. Whatever the reason, more competition for the S5 is a good thing and we hope LG is able to create something new and innovative with the G3. The rumour also says that the G3 will likely have a 5.5-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560×1440 (or 2K for all you HD aficionados), a 16MP camera and a LG Odin octa-core CPU. It’s interesting that LG wouldn’t go with the Snapdragon 805 for a processor, which is doing the rounds already, but it still is just rumours.
What do you think about LG launching another flagship so soon? Did you like the LG G2? Let us know what you think.
LG G3 may debut in May
LG’s big flagship smartphone may arrive much earlier than originally expected, if the latest rumors prove accurate. According to a report out of Korea’s asiae.co.kr, the G3 will be released in May some months sooner than anticipated. Details in the handset are almost non-existent but it’s said to include a QHD display (1440 x 2560) display.
As for the presumed launch of the LG G Pro 2, that one should debut at Mobile World Congress in February.
With HTC rumored to introduce the HTC One in late March and Samsung following close after with the Galaxy S5, LG would be wise to step on the gas. And, all things considered, we should be treated to plenty of rumors and leaks in the coming weeks.
The post LG G3 may debut in May appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Latest LG phone leak keeps hope alive for keyboard lovers
Smartphones with keyboards are increasingly rare, but LG must see some life left in the category — @evleaks has just posted a leaked press shot and specs for the Optimus F3Q, a landscape slider reportedly headed to T-Mobile. While the image doesn’t do much beyond confirm the five-row keyboard from an abstract image seen last month, the rumored specs suggest that the F3Q won’t be much different than its touch-only counterpart. It will supposedly ship with the F3′s 4-inch WVGA display, dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon, 5-megapixel camera and 2,460mAh battery; it may even run Android 4.1. There’s no mention of launch details in the leak, but the modest spec sheet hints that LG’s QWERTY handset will get an entry-level price.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG, T-Mobile
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
The Engadget Show 49: CES 2014 wrapup
Grab a wearable, switch on the ‘ole curved TV and fire up your favorite 3D printer. We came, we saw, we conquered and now we’re ready to distill it all for you in the form of some high-quality video content. We’re not going to suggest that it’ll replace the seemingly endless stream of posts we’ve churned out over the past week or so, but if you’ve got a cocktail party full of guests you need to impress tonight, it’ll help you drop some serious CES 2014 tech news knowledge on their collective heads.
We’ve pulled together some top editors to offer up an abbreviated view of tech’s biggest show of the year, charting trends in old standby categories like HDTV, mobile, tablets and cars, to emerging spaces set to define the changing face of the show for years to come. Oh, and we’ve also tossed in some fun video of the show’s gadgets, because, well, it wouldn’t be much of an Engadget Show without that sort of thing, now would it? Toss in a bit of video of your long-time host getting a bit welled up the end, and you’ve got yourself a little thing we like to call The Engadget Show 49.
‘Til we meet again, Engadgeteers.
Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Desktops, Cameras, Displays, Misc, Gaming, GPS, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Household, Laptops, Meta, Peripherals, Podcasts, Portable Audio/Video, Robots, Tablets, Transportation, Wearables, Wireless, Storage, Networking, Science, Internet, Software, HD, Mobile, Alt, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, ASUS, Google, Amazon, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, LG, AMD, Intel, Blackberry, T-Mobile, HP, Dell, Acer, NVIDIA, Nikon, Canon, Facebook, Nintendo
Daily Roundup: Moto G Google Play edition, Spotify’s desktop app goes unlimited and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Moto G Google Play edition hands-on
Motorola’s Moto G is the latest phone to get made over with stock Android. And starting at just $180 for the 8GB model, it’s the cheapest Play edition available. Click on through for more details.
Xbox multimedia exec steps down
In the midst of Microsoft’s massive internal restructuring, Variety reports that Blair Westlake has resigned from his position as VP of Microsoft’s Media and Entertainment Group. Follow the link for more information.
Jawbone Era hands-on
What you’re looking at is Jawbone’s second-generation Era Bluetooth headset. This $100 device packs a 10-hour battery and is 42 percent smaller than the previous model. Click through for our hands-on photos.
Spotify Desktop goes unlimited
Spotify removed all stipulations from its desktop app, allowing users to listen to whatever they want without a subscription. Click the link for details.
Filed under: Misc
Sprint selling $300 LG G Flex on January 31
Sprint on Thursday announced that the flexible and self-healing G Flex will be offered starting on January 31. Pre-orders begin today for the handset, which will retail for $299.99 with a two-year service agreement. Customers can head to http://www.sprint.com/lggflex to put money down on the device; doing so also nets them a free Quickwindow Folio Case. The Spark LTE-ready G Flex will be sold through Sprint’s website and telesales channels on January 31 with retail stores picking the phone up on February 7.
Qualified customers can purchase the G Flex through the carrier’s new Easy Pay program starting February 7. To do so one must pay $149.99 up front and pay off the balance in 24 payments of $20.84.
Key features of LG G Flex:
- Display: 6-inch, HD (1280×720), curved P-OLED (Real RGB)
- Battery: 3,500mAh (embedded) lithium ion with up to 29 hours of talk time
- Processor: 2.26GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with quad-core Krait CPU
- Camera: 13-megapixel rear-facing, 2.1-megapixel front-facing
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC ROM
- Convenient Rear Key provides outstanding grip and ergonomics
- Dual Window divides the screen into two separate applications for better multitasking
- QuickTheater offers fast access to photos, videos and YouTube™
- Operating system: Android 4.2.2, Jelly Bean
- Size: 160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9-8.7 mm (6.3 x 3.2 x 0.35 inches)
- Weight: 177 grams (6.24 ounces)
The post Sprint selling $300 LG G Flex on January 31 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
LG G Flex available in Australia exclusively through Harvey Norman in early February
We know that the gargantuan, curved smartphone from LG, the LG G Flex, has started its roll-out outside of LG’s native Korea and it appears Down Under is its next target. In a press release today, LG announced that the LG G Flex will be available in Australia for exclusive sale through electronics retailer, Harvey Norman. The 32GB version of the device is already available for preorder now from Harvey Norman’s website and is quoted to become available in ‘early February’. And the price? Why, only a mere $988 AUD for the outright and unlocked phone.
I did actually manage to get a hands-on look at the LG G Flex at CES 2014 and I’ve got to say that the device grew on me. Despite its enormous 6-inch display footprint, the curvature did actually make the smartphone feel incredibly comfortable to hold, even more so than my almost equally large Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Throw in a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, a 3,500mAh battery, and that self-healing technology,you get a pretty attractive package. But a package worth $988 AUD? I’m probably going to have to sleep on that, however, Harvey Norman is also offering the phone with Optus’ My Plans and adds a $200 Harvey Norman gift card sweetener if you sign up to a Optus My Plan with the G Flex during February.
I’m not exactly tempted, but let us know what you think. Anyone in Australia going to pick up the LG G Flex when it becomes available here?
Press Release
LG’S REMARKABLE ‘G FLEX’ TO LAUNCH IN AUSTRALIA
EXCLUSIVELY WITH HARVEY NORMAN
LG’s First Curved Smartphone to Arrive in Australia in February
Sydney, 16th January, 2013 — LG Electronics Australia (LG) today announced the local launch of the much anticipated ‘G Flex’, setting a new benchmark in the evolution of the smartphone. The latest device to join LG’s G Series, the ‘G Flex’ is the first curved screen smartphone to follow the contour of the face, offering totally new and innovative design with an exciting and completely new form factor.
The state-of-the-art, one of a kind handset offers advancements in smartphone technology with a 6-inch HD, Curved P-OLED display, advanced “Self-Healing” coating on the rear cover and impressive battery life. This is the first smartphone of its kind from LG, delivering what LG believes to be the future of smartphones.
The ‘G Flex’ will be available at Harvey Norman from February and will be available outright and unlocked or on a contract through a variety of Optus ‘My Plans’. Additionally, during February all ‘G Flex’ handsets purchased and connected to an Optus ‘My Plan’ contract at Harvey Norman will receive a $200 Harvey Norman gift voucher.
“The ‘G Flex’ represents LG’s commitment to innovative design and breakthrough technology and we are extremely excited to launch the model in Australia exclusively with Harvey Norman” said Lambro Skropidis, General Manager Marketing for LG Electronics Australia. “The G Flex brings together ground-breaking design with intuitive functionality and hardware, and is testament to the huge progress LG is making in the smartphone industry. The handset has been well received in other markets and we anticipate that many in Australia will also be excited by this trend setting technology. ”
“We’re thrilled to be the exclusive retailer of the LG ‘G Flex’ in Australia” said Geoff Van Der Vegt, General Manager of Technology & Entertainment at Harvey Norman. “LG’s latest smartphone shows true innovation and we are always looking to deliver new and exciting products to our customers. We believe consumers will be truly amazed by everything the LG G Flex has to offer.”
Innovative Design
The LG G Flex has captivated early adopters as the first smartphone curved to the contour of the human face. The handset is sleek and flexible, delivering an exceptionally comfortable grip and fit, as well as extraordinary voice and sound quality. The curved design of the handset reduces the distance between the user’s mouth and the microphone, increasing the sound level compared to flat smartphones.
The LG G Flex also features ergonomics on the rear of the device first introduced with the LG G2. By placing all the buttons on the rear, the smartphone is completely devoid of buttons on the sides of the device allowing the user to control it with their index finger in a natural position. Furthermore, this is perfect for both left and right-handed users.
User-Centered Technologies
The LG G Flex incorporates a series of new, impressive and immersive technologies. Among these is the handsets inventive “Self-Healing” coating on the back cover of the device. The elastic coating has the ability to recover and “self-heal” from minor daily wear-and-tear scratches that a smartphone is likely to receive, keeping the G Flex looking good.
Users of the LG G Flex will gain a wide variety of new and engaging features including the ability to enjoy music in various formats – MP3, CD quality or 24 bit/192kHz Hi-Fi playback. Further feature favourites include KnockON, Guest Mode and Plug & Pop, all originally launched and positively received on the LG G2. Further exciting features for the LG G Flex include:
– QTheatre providing users with quick access to photos, videos and YouTube simply from the lock screen. By touching the screen and dragging outward along the curved surface with two fingers, the three apps appear through drawn theatre curtains, thus creating an easy and accessible way to enter some of your favourite media applications.
– Dual Window lets the user divide the wide 6-inch screen into two separate windows for effective multitasking.
– Swing Lock screen can alter the image on the lock screen depending on the angle the G Flex is held.
– Face Detection Indicator displays the LED on the Rear Key in green to confirm the status of face detection and focus.
– Camera Timer flashes the Rear Key LED to indicate that the countdown has begun, perfect for group photos and selfies.
– Urgent Call Alert flashes the LED on the Rear Key in red when several consecutive calls from the same person have gone unanswered.
Collaboration with LG partners
The development of the LG G Flex was only possible through the successful collaboration with sister companies LG Display and LG Chem. The 6-inch display is a Plastic OLED (P-OLED) that was developed and mass produced specifically for smartphones. The ultra-thin, ultra-light flexible P-OLED display and curved OLED panel are built on plastic substrates instead of glass, giving LG G Flex its unique shape and durability.
LG Chem developed the curved battery technology specifically for application in G Flex. The curved battery is designed with LG Chem’s patented Stack and Folding technology, which reduces the physical stress on the battery pack when in the curved form providing stability and performance. Despite its thin form the LG G Flex battery has a large capacity of 3,500mAh, providing the power to meet the demands of daily use.
The G Flex will be available from Harvey Norman via online presales from today and via stores from early February. The exclusive promotion to receive a $200 Harvey Norman gift voucher when purchasing the handset via all Optus ‘My Plans’ is available during the month of February.
Key Specifications:
Available: February 2014 (pre sales via online immediately)
Retail Partner: Exclusively with Harvey Norman
Presale Availability: Via the Harvey Norman website www.harveynorman.com.au
Pricing: RRP $999 outright and unlocked
Plans: Variety of Optus My Plans including – $60 monthly Plan with $12 per month MRO (Monthly repayment option)
Promotional offer: All purchases in February on an Optus My Plan through Harvey Norman will receive a $200 Harvey Norman gift voucher
Processor:
Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2
Display: 6-inch HD (1280 x 720), Curved P-OLED (Real RGB)
Network: Recommended for use on the Optus Mobile Network – no compatibility with 3G networks for voice calls or date using the 850Mhz frequency band (Telstra or Vodafone)
Memory: 2GB LP DDR3 RAM / 32GB eMMc
Camera: Rear 13.0MP / Front 2.1MP
Battery: 3,500mAh (embedded)
Size: 160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9 – 8.7mm
Weight: 177g
Others: TDMB / Hi-Fi 24bit, 192kHz Playback
Colours: Titan Silver
Brief Look at LG G Flex [CES 2014]
The LG G Flex was announced earlier last year in October and is due to be released in the U.S. sometime in quarter one. I got my hands on one at CES and wanted to share a few pics that I took. This is by no means a review, rather just a brief impression of the few minutes I had with it.
As the name suggests, it does actually flex, I was able to almost push it flat on a table. Also, the self-healing Woverine-ish skin is something else, though I was unable to witness this voodoo as watchful eyes were protecting the devices as if they knew that I (and everyone else) wanted to to see how self-healing the skin actually was. It’s a rubbery plastic that is a fingerprint magnet, so those with OCD among us will still cringe after holding the device for two seconds. Though it’s flexible, it still felt solid in the hands and I could see this shape fitting nicely in a pants pocket.
The Optimus UI skin turns AOSP (stock Android) on its head and spits out cartoon-y icons with bright colors everywhere. Much of this is customizable, but if you’re a HOLO warrior, forget it, this is Rainbow. I’m not a fan really, the look reminds me of the many TouchWiz variants, but it’s still very functional and snappy. I experienced no lag and was able to easily navigate throughout the interface without a hitch. There’s some new features not seen on the G2 such as dual-window multi-tasking, which takes advantage of the ginormous screen; it’s similar to what the Note line has been bring us for years. If you’re interested in a full review of the UI, one can be found HERE.
The G Flex looks like a contorted and stretched version of LG’s G2 and has the same form factor with buttons on the back. In fact it shares many of the same internals as the G2 including the same RAM, CPU, and GPU. Specs include (per Phone Arena):
- OS: Android (4.2.2) UX UI
- Screen: 6″, 720×1280, 245 PPI, P-OLED
- Camera: 13MP back, 2.1MP front
- CPU: 2.26Ghz Snapdragon 800, Krait 400
- GPU: Adreno 330
- RAM 2GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery: 3500 mAh
When the LG G Flex becomes available in stores, I suggest checking it out for yourself. It’s similar to the G2, but the updated UI features, bigger screen, and flexibility make it worth your time to see first-hand. I can’t say that this phone is for me, but it’s nice to see fresh ideas on a dated form factor.
You can order a gold LG G2 in Taiwan, but just… don’t.
It’s de rigeur now for flagship phones to get a gold version, a debatable trend that’s at least working out for snarky tech editors. After all, there’s something awkward about gilting a geeky handset like LG’s G2, especially in a shade reminiscent of gaudy late ’80s home decor. It’s now available in Taiwan (and possibly elsewhere later) for $530 — if you’re in the target market, those back buttons are less likely to tangle with manicured nails.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Source: Yahoo Shopping (translated)
Upcoming LG D830 to offer 13 MP camera, 4K playback and slow motion capabilities
Earlier today, we mentioned that a number of unannounced LG smartphones were discovered in recent benchmark tests, so the handset maker could soon introduce
“a gang of models.”
Among these models, which are all running Android 4.4 KitKat, is the mysterious LG-D830, a device with a model number close to the Nexus 5 and LG G2. The device is said to render HTML5 pages quickly and previous leaks indicated the device’s display has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 (FHD).
The most recent leak of the D830 indicates that LG will be giving it a 13 MP camera with the capability to playback 2160p, the same as 4K, and support for 120fps, slow motion playback.
This may be a new flagship device, so hopefully we will have an unveil soon.
via Phone Arena
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